A 25-year-old woman in China was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis after adopting an extreme weight loss diet. The patient, Thanh Thanh (name changed), from Hangzhou city, Zhejiang province, is 1.55 m tall and weighs 55 kg. A few months ago, she planned a strict diet: almost complete fasting for six days, followed by unrestricted eating on the remaining day of the week.

During her six-day diet, she avoided carbohydrates almost entirely, consuming only boiled vegetables, chicken breast, and low-sugar fruits, aiming to keep her daily calorie intake below 800 calories. Conversely, on her "binge day", she would indulge in a diverse menu of rich foods such as hot pot, fried chicken, spicy noodles, milk tea, and various nuts.

Initially, this method proved effective, with Thanh Thanh losing 7.5 kg in just one month, reaching a weight of 47.5 kg. On 14/5, after six days of fasting, she entered her "binge day". She ate one large bucket of fried chicken for lunch and two packs of spicy noodles in the evening. Late that night, she experienced severe cramping pain in her abdomen, waist, and back. Even after vomiting all the food, the bloating and pain did not subside, prompting her family to rush her to the emergency room at a hospital affiliated with Zhejiang University School of Medicine.

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Test results revealed that the patient's serum amylase level, a crucial digestive enzyme produced by the pancreas and salivary glands, surged to 823 U/L, many times higher than the normal range. After further noting severe swelling and fluid accumulation in the pancreatic tail, doctors diagnosed her with moderate to severe acute pancreatitis and immediately admitted her to the hospital.

Doctors indicated that many people mistakenly believe acute pancreatitis only affects those who regularly consume alcohol, eat excessive fatty foods, or have a history of cholecystitis or gallstones. However, the number of young patients developing this condition due to a combination of extreme dieting and uncontrolled binge eating is sharply increasing. "To lose weight, many people eat only one meal a day, believing they will get thinner. However, this method easily pushes the pancreas to the brink of exhaustion," an unnamed doctor at the hospital said.

The pancreas is one of the most important organs for secreting digestive enzymes. Prolonged fasting or irregular eating patterns keep the pancreas in a "low load waiting" state. At such a time, an excessive meal, especially one rich in oils and fats, immediately overstimulates the pancreas, causing it to release a large amount of digestive enzymes in a short period.

The increased pressure within the pancreatic duct causes these enzymes to activate prematurely, spill out, and "digest" the pancreatic tissues themselves, leading to edema, hemorrhage, or even necrosis, ultimately resulting in acute pancreatitis.

After being prescribed absolute fasting, intravenous fluids, gastric suction, pancreatic enzyme inhibitors, along with other symptomatic and supportive treatments, Thanh Thanh's condition is now controlled, but she still requires more time for a full recovery.

Even after discharge, the disease carries a high risk of recurrence and can easily transition into chronic pancreatitis if the patient reverts to unhealthy eating habits.

Acute pancreatitis is a common abdominal emergency, with approximately 20% of patients at risk of severe complications. When the disease progresses to a severe form, the mortality rate can reach 20-30%, not to mention dangerous complications such as pancreatic abscess, pseudocyst, pancreatic fistula, or diabetes. These complications lead to high treatment costs and extended recovery periods.

Furthermore, continuously repeating the cycle of "strict fasting followed by uncontrolled eating" over a long period can lead to other dangerous emergencies, including cholecystitis, stomach damage, and even complete endocrine system disruption. This not only results in a series of consequences such as menstrual disorders, amenorrhea, hair loss, and a weakened immune system, but also causes the basal metabolic rate to become increasingly sluggish, ultimately making it easier to gain weight even while attempting to lose it.

To protect pancreatic health, medical experts advise against completely eliminating fats and carbohydrates from the diet, as these are essential energy sources. They also recommend maintaining moderate eating habits and avoiding sudden shifts from fasting to large, oily, high-fat meals, allowing the digestive system time to adapt. In addition to limiting alcohol, people should proactively manage biliary and blood lipid disorders through regular check-ups.

For healthy weight loss, doctors emphasize that safety must be the top priority. One should not pursue temporary rapid weight loss but instead build scientific eating and exercise habits to allow the body to adapt gradually.

Binh Minh (According to SCMP, Xinmin Evening News, China)